Paris sets alternate driving days after pollution levels rise

AFP, PARIS

Mon, Mar 17, 2014 - Page 6

The French government is to introduce alternate driving days in Paris today for the first time in nearly two decades to tackle dangerous levels of air pollution in the city.

It is only the second time the French authorities have ever resorted to the drastic restriction, which means that drivers will only be able to use their cars on alternate days.

The government made the announcement after pollution particulates in the air exceeded safe levels for five days running in the capital and surrounding areas.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

All public transport was made free over the weekend to persuade residents to leave their cars at home.

By Saturday the number of pollution particulates in the air had fallen slightly after hitting a high of 180 micrograms per cubic meter — well over double the safe limit — on Friday.

These so-called PM10 particulates are created by vehicles, heating and heavy industry, with the safe limit set at 80 per cubic meter.

However, with pollution levels forecast to rise from yesterday evening, the French prime minister’s office announced the decision to restrict drivers in and around the capital for the first time since 1997.

Motor bikes are also covered by the restriction, which will allow only vehicles with uneven numbered plates on the road today.

The government also unveiled other pollution-lowering measures including, restrictions on vehicle speed and on burning fuel.

It said it would make a call today about whether to extend the restrictions further.

SMOG

The smoggy conditions have been caused by a combination of cold nights and warm days, which have prevented pollution from dispersing.

The pollution particulates in the air can cause asthma attacks as well as respiratory and heart problems.

The WHO has said finer particulates — known as PM2.5 -- are cancer-causing.

Automobile associations criticized the restrictions as “stupid.”

“I am amazed to see that a small lobby has managed to convince people that cars were behind this peak in pollution,” said Pierre Chasseray, head of a drivers’ association called 40 Millions d’Automobilistes.